Armenian Coat of Arms Backgammon Set in White and Gold

Armenian Coat of Arms Backgammon Set in White and Gold by Hrachya Ohanyan

The coat of arms of the First Republic of Armenia — eagle and lion holding the shield, Ararat and the four dynasties on it — in deep relief on a basket-weave lid, white with aged gold. This is the 60 cm / 23.6″ wooden backgammon set made by Hrachya Ohanyan. Beech, 32 checkers, dice, branded case.

This is the board for the embassy corridor, the 28 May table, and the family that wants the arms of 1918 on something they use every week. Under the shield lie the sword, the broken chain, the wheat and the feather; the eagle's wing feathers and the lion's mane are cut one by one, and the whole panel sits on a woven ground of gold with lattice corners and rope borders.

Inside, white and gold again: points drawn in line and tipped in fleur-de-lys, a wheel ornament on each half, an ornate cast hinge on the bar. The back cover carries a gold-and-white chequerboard framed by the same basket weave. For the diaspora office, the wedding gift and the collector of Armenian emblems.

Specifications

• Size open: 60 × 60 cm / 23.6″ × 23.6″
• Size folded: 60 × 30 cm / 23.6″ × 11.8″
• Material: beech wood, painted white with an aged gold finish and lacquered
• Carving: the coat of arms of the First Republic of Armenia in deep relief on a round panel; basket-weave ground, lattice corners, rope-and-bead borders; chequerboard on the back
• Outline: Classic — straight edges, lobed cartouche corners
• Hardware: cast-bronze hinges and clasps
• Craftsmanship: entirely handmade by Hrachya Ohanyan

What's Included

• Hand-carved backgammon board
• 32 checkers in white and gold with velvet bases
• Dice set cut from billiard balls
• Branded carrying case

Why You'll Love It

• Every element of the arms: eagle, lion, the shield with Ararat and the four royal houses, and the sword, chain, wheat and feather below — all carved, not painted on.
• Gold in the weave: the basket-weave ground is carved in relief and aged with gold, so the white lid reads like carved ivory from across the room.
• Make it theirs: add a name or a date at checkout to mark a wedding, an anniversary or years of games together.

Good to Know Before You Buy

Is the carving real? Yes. The eagle, the lion, the shield and everything beneath it are carved in deep relief from the solid beech, and the basket weave, lattice and rope borders are cut into the lid around them. The white is paint and the gold an aged finish rubbed into the hollows, both under lacquer. Nothing is printed.

What about shipping and returns? Shipping is free to the US, Canada and Europe, always tracked; other countries pay a flat $100 (Brazil, Chile and New Zealand $200). Every set is covered by our 30-day returns policy.

How do I look after it? Keep it out of direct sunlight and away from radiators. Wipe with a dry, soft cloth and store it closed in its carrying case.

About the Artist - Hrachya Ohanyan

National Master Hrachya Ohanyan began his fine woodcraft in 1985 and founded his workshop in Yerevan in 2010. This board belongs to his collection of wooden backgammon sets, each one made by hand by the craftspeople of that workshop. Read Hrachya Ohanyan's story or explore the full backgammon collection.

Also known as nardi (нарды), nardy, tavla or shesh besh.